Business Notes: April 13

Four Oaks Bank has promoted Brent A. George to city executive in Clayton. He will continue as a commercial loan officer.

George has spent 17 of his 21 years in banking with Four Oaks Bank. His new role includes community relations and overall branch performance.

A Johnston County native, George earned his bachelor’s degree in business management and finance from N.C. State University. He serves on the board of the Johnston United Soccer Association and is a member of the Rotary Club of Clayton.

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George is an avid runner, cyclist and swimmer. He and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Clayton with their son Cameron and daughter Riley.

‘Tuesday Tune-Up’ on the move

Since September 2012, downtown Clayton business owners have been meeting Tuesday mornings at Sherry’s Signature Cheesecakes, 120 E. Main St.

The Clayton Downtown Development Association began “Tuesday Tune-Up” to bring downtown business owners together to network and to learn how to make their businesses a destination.

“Tuesday Tune-Up” has begun a monthly rotation of meeting places. In May, the group will meet at the Historic Wagner House, 121 E. Main St., before returning in June to Sherry’s Signature Cheesecakes.

“Sherry’s is a great meeting place, and we’ve enjoyed these 18 months there,” said downtown association board member Debie Austermuehle, owner of Main Street Jewelers and Clockwise & Otherwise. “But there are several other great meeting places in downtown, and we hope more people will join us.”

“Tuesday Tune-Up” is geared specifically to downtown businesses but is open to all Clayton retail business owners. They learn different ways to improve and make their business become a destination. They also get to know each other and help each other with specific issues that mightcome up during the week. One key component each week is a video webinar from destination marketer Jon Schallert. Coffee and refreshments and provided.

Downtown Development coordinator Bruce Naegelen posts the schedule and location each week at downtownclayton.org, and he sends a weekly reminder to downtown businesses.

For more information, send an email to info@downtownclayton.org or call Naegelen at 919-553-5002.

Business seminars

The Small Business Center at Johnston Community College has scheduled the following free seminars. For more information, or to register, call Shelley Gardner at 919-209-2591, email swgardner@johnstoncc.edu or go to http://www.johnstoncc.edu/sbcseminars.aspx.

How to Sell to the Government – 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 30, at the Johnston County Workforce Development Center, 135 Bestwood Drive, Clayton.

10 Steps to Starting Your Own Business – 6-9 p.m. Monday, May 5, at the Cleveland Center, 9046 Cleveland Road in the Cleveland community. Topics include market research, business structure, taxes, marketing and record keeping.

Business Side of a Faith-Based Organization – 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the Johnston County Workforce Development Center, 135 Bestwood Drive, Clayton. Learn the proper business structure, board organization, volunteer management, business tips and more.

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